Erik says:
We live on 23rd St. between E. Broad and E. Marshall and thieves recently jumped our fence and then broke into our locked garage. They took off with our bikes (see pics), and some power tools.
We filed a report with RPD on Wednesday. Wanted to get the word out because there was nothing in plain sight and they broke into a locked garage.
Please call RPD if you see these bikes around the hill.
16 comments
Did this happen last night, when once again we didn’t have street lights?
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The post said they filed a report on Wednesday, so no, it didn’t happen last night however, I think our street lights were out Tuesday, too.
To the original poster, do you know how they got i? I am asking because we have a small shed that is locked. Wondering if we need to do more?
Karen, if your shed only has the lock it came with (in the handle of the door) those are easily defeated. We found out the hard way , but since adding a hasp and padlock have not had any problems since.
This is what I get for reading things half awake when I first wake up! Lol. Yes, of course, upon further review I see that my question reveals that I am in fact an idiot.
@4 LOL I’m sure I’ve read something the wrong way half awake, too, I wouldn’t feel bad if I were you. And we did have street lights out on Tuesday night, don’t know if that covers this or not, but that outage was the same area as Friday night, included 23rd St. I think.
Very sorry to hear this. We live close to here and had a similar incident with two bikes and tools stolen around Christmas. We had a hasp busted off so installed a heavier duty one, but unfortunately I think if someone is hell bent on breaking in it’s hard to stop them. Short of booby trapping your shed, I would suggest some led motion detection lights…you can buy them cheaply online and place a few around your yard. Depending on how much you want to spend there are also do it yourself security systems where you can place sensors, sirens or cameras that sync with your smartphone. To everyone who stores a bike in a shed I suggest storing the front wheel in your house, as it might be just enough deterrent. I’ve also seen some storage systems for bikes that are bolted to the studs. Lately I’ve been toying with the idea of installing a roll down shutter door hidden behind the swinging doors…that would be a nice surprise for the dullards. We’ll keep a look out for your bikes, good luck.
This is very bad. I wonder if thieves have been on some sort of welfare benefits…and I wish there was some program to not provide it to families whose members commit the crime. Maybe then, there would be more sense of responsibility to control children and each other.
This is one block from where tools were stolen on Monday of last week. I’d like to know where these tools are being used/sold to, as I’ve called every pawn shop in the Richmond area… to no avail.
There is always an abundance of tools/bikes/everything being sold at the flea market on rt 60 (Williamsburg rd) in the parking lot of “Bubba’s”. Traffic is really heavy there on the weekends sat/sun….. I’m always amazed at the amount of stuff some of those guys have.
If you have anything stolen this might be a good place to check, the following weekend…
This has become an epidemic of stealing bikes and tools in Church Hil – regardless if they are locked or in a building. This is at least the 10th such report of this in the last month.
They must be fencing stolen items somewhere or have the ability to move many bikes/tools in and around the area. To me they are networked.
@1 We think it was during the day on Wednesday, between 12p-6p
@2 They jumped the fence and pried open the door from the yard, which was deadbolted
RPD said that while last year scooters were the thing to steal, there is a definate uptick in bikes/lawnmowers/tools this year.
Thanks to all for keeping your eyes out for the bikes
This is very bad. I wonder if thieves have been on some sort of welfare benefits…and I wish there was some program to not provide it to families whose members commit the crime. Maybe then, there would be more sense of responsibility to control children and each other. /?p=36050#comment-869738
Thanks Daniel. I’ll check them out.
anyone can steal, they don’t necessarily have to be on welfare.
this kind of lock works very well, link a couple things together to make it harder to carry.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-ultraslim-keyed-cable-lock/1309338948.p;jsessionid=0F5BD20289D58095CF968266C38853D8.bbolsp-app03-198?id=mp1309338948&skuId=1309338948&st=categoryid$pcmcat302900050005&cp=1&lp=6#tab=buyingOptions
Story on NPR about a self-locking bike, one of them actually in production.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/08/22/342437221/coming-soon-to-a-pole-near-you-a-bike-that-locks-itself